Comments (2)

Essex CC have begun the process of decommissioning Phillip Road as a school. This can take up to six months or more, after which time they can dispose of it (most likely by putting it on the market). To date none of the current groups using it have actually had an undertaking from Essex that it will be offered to the community (though that would be great) and Essex can simply sell to the highest bidder when the time comes. We hope to have some talks with them soon but it's by no means certain that this will end up for the community... that's why the local community are so concerned not just for the interim period but for the long term future of a very valuable centre that is certainly at risk.

Essex CC have begun the process of decommissioning Phillip Road as a school. This can take up to six months or more, after which time they can dispose of it (most likely by putting it on the market). To date none of the current groups using it have actually had an undertaking from Essex that it will be offered to the community (though that would be great) and Essex can simply sell to the highest bidder when the time comes. We hope to have some talks with them soon but it's by no means certain that this will end up for the community... that's why the local community are so concerned not just for the interim period but for the long term future of a very valuable centre that is certainly at risk.John Wallett

Here we go again! Another move to prevent the local community from continuing on providing services and events for local people to use, particularly the youth of the area. I cannot believe the council are so short-sighted to see that this will provoke much potentially hostile reaction from the local community users. This is, I guess, a sign of the times but one must ask the question where else the group/s may be able to meet in the future. I sincerely hope that the situation is resolved amicably for the local user groups and they are either relocated or are able to use their original 'base'.

Here we go again! Another move to prevent the local community from continuing on providing services and events for local people to use, particularly the youth of the area. I cannot believe the council are so short-sighted to see that this will provoke much potentially hostile reaction from the local community users. This is, I guess, a sign of the times but one must ask the question where else the group/s may be able to meet in the future. I sincerely hope that the situation is resolved amicably for the local user groups and they are either relocated or are able to use their original 'base'.Ozzie